Picking Me Foundation Presents

~Dermatillomania (Skin Picking Disorder) Advocacy Fundraiser~

With The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors

Featuring Lauren McKeaney, Dana Marie Flores & Dr. Jon E. Grant

At Lodge Management Group’s Mahoney’s Pub & Grille

Friday, September 30^th, 7pm-10pm

551 N. Ogden 60642

Dear Fellow Entrepreneur,

My name is Lauren Mckeaney, I was born and raised in Chicago, have worked for stellular downtown companies such as Lodge Management Group Entertainment Enterprises, and have a mental illness called Dermatillomania aka Skin Picking Disorder. After silently struggling with this OCD related Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior for over 2 decades, the medical community caught up with me and recognized the chronic condition in the DSM-5 in 2013, followed by my 2014 diagnosis. Sure, I was thrilled to have an answer for my compulsive skin picking, but it was devastating to learn the disorder is under-reported and misdiagnosed with hardly any medical funding, research, treatment or a cure. Not only that, but there was not one mental health advocacy organization in existence dedicate to this often shameful and isolating neurological disorder. That is, until now.

I’ve recently founded the  Picking Me Foundation (501(c)3) to spread awareness and inspires acceptance of Dermatillomania for sufferers, supporters, and educational communities alike! I send Fiddle Packs full of fidget toys to daycares, pre-schools and baby-sitting organizations to promote finger energy off the body from a young age and to start the conversation about BFRBs in early childhood, providing knowledge of triggers and warning signs as well as management techniques such as Habit Reversal Training. Picking Me is the ONLY charity dedicated to Skin Picking Disorder awareness and the creation of community for sufferers and supporters.  

Picking Me Foundation is hosting over 150 local attendees for our launch party, September 30^th 7pm-10pm at Mahoney’s Pub & Grille (551 N. Ogden, 60642), with an evening of awareness, fun, and fundraising, featuring my personal story with skin picking and recently published article in the TLC Foundation’s In Touch and leading scientist for BFRB research and cure, Jon E. Grant MD with crafted sips & bites, silent auctions, good tunes, and great Chicagoans.

I’m reaching out to ask for your help in building an amazing roster of silent auction items in hopes you will donate a product/experience/service to auction off for fundraising. It would mean so much to include you in my Foundation’s roll out. I truly hope you are open and able to participate, and I look forward to forging a relationship with your team for future events!

Item Drop Off (if applicable): Lodge Management Group, 8 West. Division #2 60611

(or email mail Lauren@pickingme.org to arrange pick up)

Many thanks in advance,

Lauren Mckeaney

Picking Me Foundation, President

Founded 2016

1360 North Dearborn, Chicago IL, 60610

NFP TAX ID: 81-3467970